Parks and Public Works Committee

Parks and Public Works Committee Meeting Minutes September 18th, 2023 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a meeting of the Parks, and Public Property Committee was held, September 18th, 2023, Municipal Building, 800 Borner Street, Prescott, Wisconsin 54021. The meeting was called to order at 4:30 pm Committee Present: Bailey Ruona, John Peterson, Pat Knox Committee Absent: None. Staff Present: City Administrator Matt Wolf, Planner Carter Hayes, Public Works Director Mike Kinneman, City Engineer Greg Adams of Cedar Corporation. Others Present: Members of the public. 1. Approve Minutes for July 17th, 2023. Knox motioned to approve the minutes for July 17th, 2023. Ruona seconded; motion passed without a negative voice (3-0). 2. Public Works Items A) Orange Street Paving City Administrator Matt Wolf presented information regarding Orange Street paving. The section would have a 3” asphalt layer, an increase of 1” from what currently exists, which would be a $29,000 increase in cost. Both Public Works Director Mike Kinneman and City Engineer Greg Adams recommend the increase in pavement thickness. The committee agreed with staff recommendations. Ruona motioned to approve the change to Orange Street Paving. Peterson seconded; motion passed without a negative voice (3-0). B) Sign Designs and Proposal City Administrator Matt Wolf presented information regarding another round of City signage. A new entry sign on HWY 10, a parking direction sign for the Cherry Street Lot, and a new park sign at Public Square were discussed. Committee member Ruona mentioned the HWY 10 entry sign is not in good shape. Committee Member Peterson asked how old they are, it was estimated they are close to 20 years old. The committee favored bringing the proposal to Council for review. Peterson motioned to approve the City sign design and proposal to Council. Ruona seconded; motion passed without a negative voice (3-0). 1  3. Parks Items A) Public Square Park Bench Dedications City Planner Carter Hayes presented information regarding bench styles and dedications for Public Square Park. The committee favored utilizing the blue perforated metal bench for locations outside of the riverfront area. The riverfront phase II would still utilize the matching style from the Phase I project. Knox motioned to approve the dedication to Dick Hoffman, standardize benches throughout other parks. Ruona seconded; motion passed without a negative voice (3- 0). B) St. Croix Bluffs Concept Plan City Engineer Greg Adams of Cedar Corporation presented an updated concept plan for St. Croix Bluffs Park. The discussion was centered around the location of the parking lot within the park. Committee Member Ruona asked for the soccer field to be removed from the project estimate, citing the absence of a School District organized soccer team. The committee favored the parking location on the Northwest side of the park, the proposed location of the restroom building and keeping the field an open, multi-use field rather than a designated soccer field. Committee member Ruona also favored re-allocating funds from the unnamed Great Rivers Subdivision park to the St. Croix Bluffs park. Knox motioned to approve the concept plan to Council, reallocating funds from the Great Rivers Park to develop Phase I of the St. Croix Bluffs Park in 2027. Motion passed without a negative voice (3-0). C) Downtown Riverfront Planning Phase 2 Project City Planner Carter Hayes presented information regarding the Riverfront Phase II project. Greg Adams of Cedar Corporation updated a concept plan for the entirety of the project. A public dock is proposed to be 900 feet in length with 8 slips to be supplied with electrical and be designated as overnight slips. Committee member Ruona requested to take a closer look at the dock plan and cater to the average length of boats that are seen in this area of the river. A budget of $50,000 was set for restoration of the old Prescott Bridge Gear House, Committee Member Ruona requested that the Historical Society be contacted for their long- term plan on the gear house’s future. The committee favored removing the gear house from the scope of the project until a plan is set in place for it. Closing Front Street was met with opposition from some community members. The committee also requested a bathroom and pavilion shelter be added to the project. The permanent bathroom and shelter were met with opposition from some community members, citing graffiti and misuse. 4. Other Business 5. Adjourn Ruona motioned to adjourn. Knox seconded; motion passed without a negative voice (3- 0) at 5:49 pm 2 The next Parks Committee meeting will be October 16th, 2023, at 5:00 PM. Respectfully Submitted, Carter Hayes City Planner 3